This study addresses the persistent challenge of polysulfide dissolution in lithium–sulfur (Li–S) batteries by introducing magnesium oxide (MgO) nanoparticles as a novel additive. MgO was integrated with sulfur using a scalable process involving solid-state melt diffusion treatment followed by planetary ball milling. XRD measurements confirmed that sulfur (S₈) retains its orthorhombic crystalline structure (space group $F_{ddd}$) following the MgO incorporation, with minimal peak shifts indicating slight lattice distortion, while the increased peak intensity suggests enhanced crystallinity due to MgO acting as a nucleation site. Additionally, Raman spectroscopy demonstrated sulfur’s characteristic vibrational modes consistent with group theory (point group $D_{2}h$) and highlighted multiwalled carbon nanotube (MWCNT′s) D, G, and 2D bands, with a low I_D/I_G ratio (0.47), which indicated low defects and high crystallinity in the prepared cathode. The S–MgO composite cathode exhibited superior electrochemical behavior, with an initial discharge capacity (950 mA h g⁻¹ at 0.1 C), significantly improved compared to pristine sulfur’s. The presence of MgO effectively mitigated the polysulfide shuttle effect by trapping polysulfides, leading to enhanced stability over 400 cycles and the consistent coulombic efficiency of over 99.5%. After 400 cycles, EDS and SEM analyses confirmed the structural integrity of the electrode, with only minor fractures and slight sulfur content loss. Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy further confirmed the enhanced performance.

Voltaic pile, the very first battery built by humanity in 1800, plays a seminal role in battery development history. However, the premature design leads to the inevitable copper ion dissolution issue, which dictates its primary battery nature. To address this issue, solid-state electrolytes, ion exchange membranes, and/or sophisticated electrolytes are widely utilized, leading to high costs and complicated cell configuration. Herein, we build a rechargeable zinc-copper voltaic battery from simple and cheap electrolyte/separator materials, thus eliminating the need to use the above components. Notably, our battery leverages the Zn₄SO₄(OH)₆·xH₂O precipitation in ZnSO₄ electrolytes, a common side reaction in zinc batteries, to provide a "locally alkaline" environment for copper electrodes. Consequently, oxide (O^2-) anion insertion takes place and readily transforms copper to copper(I) oxide (Cu₂O) without any copper ion dissolution issue. Therefore, this battery realizes a high capacity of ∼370 mA h g^-1 and a long cycling of ∼500 cycles. Our work provides an innovative approach to stabilize anion insertion in metal electrodes for energy storage.

Silicon (Si) has attracted worldwide attention for its ultrahigh theoretical storage capacity (4200 mA h g⁻¹), low mass density (2.33 g cm⁻³), low operating potential (0.4 V vs. Li/Li⁺), abundant reserves, environmentally benign nature, and low cost. It is a promising high-energy-density anode material for next-generation lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), offering a replacement for graphite anodes owing to the escalating energy demands in booming automobile and energy storage applications. Unfortunately, the commercialization of silicon anodes is stringently hindered by large volume expansion during lithiation–delithiation, the unstable and detrimental growth of electrode/electrolyte interface layers, sluggish Li-ion diffusion, poor rate performance, and inherently low ion/electron conductivity. These present major safety challenges lead to quick capacity degradation in LIBs. Herein, we present the synergistic effects of nanostructured silicon and SrTiO₃ (STO) for use as anodes in Li-ion batteries. Si and STO nanoparticles were incorporated into a multiwalled carbon nanotube (CNT) matrix using a planetary ball-milling process. The mechanical stress resulting from the expansion of Si was transferred via the CNT matrix to the STO. We discovered that the introduction of STO can improve the electrochemical performance of Si/CNT nanocomposite anodes. Experimental measurements and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy provide evidence for the enhanced mobility of Li-ions facilitated by STO. Hence, incorporating STO into the Si@CNT anode yields promising results, exhibiting a high initial Coulombic efficiency of approximately 85%, a reversible specific capacity of ~800 mA h g⁻¹ after 100 cycles at 100 mA g⁻¹, and a high-rate capability of 1400 mA g⁻¹ with a capacity of 800 mA h g⁻¹. Interestingly, it exhibits a capacity of 350 mAh g⁻¹ after 1000 lithiation and delithiation cycles at a high rate of 600 mA hg⁻¹. This result unveils and sheds light on the design of a scalable method for manufacturing Si anodes for next-generation LIBs.

Amidst the swift expansion of the electric vehicle industry, the imperative for alternative battery technologies that balance economic feasibility with sustainability has reached unprecedented importance. Herein, we utilized Perovskite-based oxide compounds barium titanate (BaTiO₃) and strontium titanate (SrTiO₃) nanoparticles as anode materials for lithium-ion batteries from straightforward and standard carbonate-based electrolyte with 10% fluoroethylene carbonate (FEC) additive [1M LiPF₆ (1:1 EC: DEC) + 10% FEC]. SrTiO₃ and BaTiO₃ electrodes can deliver a high specific capacity of 80 mA h g⁻¹ at a safe and low average working potential of ≈0.6 V vs. Li/Li⁺ with excellent high-rate performance with specific capacity of ~90 mA h g⁻¹ at low current density of 20 mA g⁻¹ and specific capacity of ~80 mA h g⁻¹ for over 500 cycles at high current density of 100 mA g⁻¹. Our findings pave the way for the direct utilization of perovskite-type materials as anode materials in Li-ion batteries due to their promising potential for Li⁺ ion storage. This investigation addresses the escalating market demands in a sustainable manner and opens avenues for the investigation of diverse perovskite oxides as advanced anodes for next-generation metal-ion batteries.